SOWPODS rating system

Since January 2010, NASPA has kept track of rated games played using the SOWPODS lexicon in a SOWPODS rating system separate from the regular rating system, which continues to be used for games played using the OTCWL lexicon.

Players who compete regularly at an international level often prefer to play SOWPODS games domestically as well, and to have those games count for ratings. Since the nature of the game varies significantly according to the lexicon used, the ratings are kept separate.

NASPA recognizes that while many members want to play rated SOWPODS games on a regular basis, many more prefer to play OTCWL. NASPA does not have any plans to discontinue the OTCWL lexicon in the foreseeable future.

Differences between the rating systems

A game played at a NASPA-sanctioned event is rated only once, either in the regular system or the SOWPODS system, not both. The SOWPODS system works exactly as the regular one does, with one exception. If a player has a regular rating but not a SOWPODS rating, they will enter the SOWPODS system with their regular rating, not a rating calculated based on their debut event performance. New player career game totals will start at zero, regardless of the source of their initial rating, so if a player’s SOWPODS playing strength differs substantially from their regular strength, their rating will converge rapidly.